SAMIA SULUHU PROFILE
| DATE OF BIRTH | January 27, 1960 |
| GENDER | Female |
| FAMILY | Married to Hafidh Ameir |
| OCCUPATION | Politician |
Samia Suluhu Biography
Samia Suluhu is the current President of the United Republic of Tanzania. She ascended to the presidency on March 19, 2021, following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, and became Tanzania’s 6th President.
Suluhu made history as the first Vice President of Tanzania and subsequently became the first female President of the Republic.
Born on January 27, 1960, in Kizimkazi Village in the Southern Unguja Region, Suluhu is married to Hafidh Ameir, and they have four children, three sons and one daughter.
Samia Suluhu received her primary education at various schools, including Chwaka Primary School in Unguja from 1966 to 1968, Ziwani Primary School in 1970, and Mahonda Primary School in 1972.
For her secondary education, she attended Ng’ambo Secondary School for Form One to Three, and Lumumba Secondary School for Form Four, from 1973 to 1976.
Education Background
In 1983, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics from the College of Economics in Zanzibar. After a brief stint working at the Ministry of Planning and Development from 1983 to 1986, she pursued further studies in Public Administration at the Institute of Development Management (IDM).
She also undertook specialized training at various institutions, including the Institute of Public Administration in Lahore, Pakistan, in 1987; the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI) in 1991; and the Hyderabad Institute of Leadership in India in 1998, where she completed a Diploma in Administration.
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Later, she advanced her studies in Economics at the University of Manchester in the UK. Additionally, she earned a Master of Science degree in Community Development through a collaborative program between the Open University of Tanzania and Southern New Hampshire University in the United States.
Political Career
Samia Suluhu began her political journey as a member of CCM on June 10, 1987. She transitioned into electoral politics in 2000 when she was appointed to the Zanzibar House of Representatives, representing special seats for women until 2010.
In the 2010 general elections, she successfully ran for a parliamentary seat representing the Makunduchi constituency in the United Republic of Tanzania’s parliament.
In 2002, she was elected to the CCM National Executive Council and appointed to the party’s Central Committee, positions she continues to hold to this day. Samia also serves as a member of the CCM National Congress and the Southern Unguja Regional Congress, and she has previously been involved in the political committees at both the regional and district levels in Southern Unguja.
Besides the Presidency, throughout her career, she has held several key government positions, including Minister in the Vice President’s Office responsible for Union Affairs from 2010 to 2015; Minister of Tourism, Trade, and Investment in the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar between 2005 and 2010; and Minister of Labor, Youth, Employment, Women’s Development, and Children in Zanzibar from 2000 to 2005. In 2014, she served as the Deputy Chairperson of the Constituent Assembly responsible for debating and drafting the new Constitution of Tanzania.
Other Positions Served by Suluhu Besides Politics
Samia Suluhu previously worked at the United Nations as a Member of the United Nations Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment, representing the Eastern and Southern Africa Region between 2016 and 2017.
Also Read: Ruto Calls Suluhu After Tanzania New Business Laws
She has previously worked with the World Food Program from 1988 to 1997. She has also served on various committees, boards and institutions such as; Member of the Zanzibar Parole Committee (2001-2010), Guardian of the Zanzibar HIV/AIDS Community (1997-2000), Board Member of the Equal Opportunities Fund for All – EOTF (1996-2000), Executive Secretary of the Zanzibar Non-Governmental Organisations Association (ANGOZA) 1995-2000, Member of the Zanzibar Lions Club (1991-1998), Member of the Zanzibar Education Policy Committee (1996) and Founding Member of the Zanzibar Women’s Development Promotion Institute (1991-1994).
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